Difference between revisions of "ThinkPad UltraBase"

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m (Pros & Cons)
(Features)
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=== Features ===
 
=== Features ===
* 1x USB
+
* Passthrough ports:
* 1x Line out
+
** USB (single port)
* 1x MIDI/Game
+
** Audio Line out
* 1x Floppy disk drive, exchangeable with second battery
+
** MIDI/Game port
* 1x UltraSlimBay slot
+
* 1.44MB Floppy disk drive, exchangeable with second battery
* 1x docking port
+
* UltraSlimBay slot
 +
* docking port
 
* Stereo speakers
 
* Stereo speakers
 
* Kensington security hole
 
* Kensington security hole

Revision as of 16:38, 2 September 2005

UltraBase

IBM UltraBase

The IBM UltraBase is a portable dock for the ThinkPads 570 and 570E providing extra ports as well as the originally missing drives and a set of stereo speakers. Together with the ThinkPad it forms a solid unit approximately double the height of the ThinkPad alone. Containing a builtin floppy drive and a UltraSlimBay slot, it provides flexibility in drive choice. Furthermore, the UltraBases floppy is exchangable with a second battery of the same type as the one in the notebook to extend the mobile working time. It also features a second docking port, enabling one to dock the combined unit onto a port replicator or full dock.

Features

  • Passthrough ports:
    • USB (single port)
    • Audio Line out
    • MIDI/Game port
  • 1.44MB Floppy disk drive, exchangeable with second battery
  • UltraSlimBay slot
  • docking port
  • Stereo speakers
  • Kensington security hole

Pros & Cons

  • Positives: Expansion capability, portable
  • Negatives: makes the ThinkPad quite thick
  • Compatibility: 570, 570E
  • Warranty: Three Years (?)

UltraSlimBay

The UltraSlimBay slot in this dock is a full featured one and supports warm swapping with all UltraSlimBay drives. However, the UltraSlimBay battery pack is NOT supported.

Floppy and Battery Slot

The UltraBase features a removable floppy drive residing in a slot that is mechanically combined with a battery slot. While the floppy is fitted in from the right side of the unit, the battery slot is accessible from the top. If removed, the floppy is still usable as an external drive connected through a special cable. The battery slot takes a standard battery pack of the 570 or 570E.